Mission San Juan Capistrano

On Sunday, I met Matt half way to his school because he forgot some stuff when he went back. No surprise in that! We ate near the San Juan Capistrano mission, which I have never actually visited. I didn't have time to go inside ($9 entrance fee and I only had about 10 minutes to spend there), but it was a gorgeous day and I snapped a couple shots from the entry way.

This is the Mission where the swallows return each year. I'd love to be there to see that!






The Camino Real is the route that Father Serra took as he traveled from Mexico to San Francisco. It is marked with these Spanish style bells. The Missions are spaced along the route, about a day's travel apart.





And that's your California history lesson for today!

The Lunch Date Blouse GIVEAWAY!!!!

The Lunch Date Blouse GIVEAWAY!!!!

Boy do I love this blouse. Simply gorgeous and very s.e.x.y!

Winter sunset

Our winter sunsets are some of the most beautiful we have, especially when the Santa Ana winds blow the polluted air out over the ocean, giving the sunset vibrant colors. Matt and I stopped on our way to San Marcos to snap this beauty.

Photos of the moon

After seeing some fabulous moon shots by a friend, I decided to try my hand. I'm still having trouble with the exposure but I did get a couple fun shots tonight.

It was dark and I didn't have a flashlight, so I don't know what my exposure was on this, but I did get some of the "man in the moon" and the surrounding clouds in this shot.


And in this one, I fiddled a little in PSE to get the clouds just right.

I've been cardmaking

I got out some of my older BasicGrey papers and created some Valentine's Day cards.

The first one is all sparkly and bling-y and uses some papers from the Perhaps collection, along with the QuicKutz Mademoiselle alpha, PK Glitz glitter, Prima crystals and flowers and ribbon from my stash.


The second card uses Black Tie with a red sheet from Mellow. I die cut a bunch of hearts and swirls (hearts from Sizzix and Cuttlebug and swirls from QuicKutz) and added some Stickles (Ranger) for some glitz.


Finally a fun and funky card using Color Me Silly. I just love these frogs!!

Oh, Christmas tree, project 365 day 4

I took a long exposure photo of our tree before taking it down yesterday. I love the twinkling lights and the reflection in the window! Click the photo to see a larger picture with lots of twinkle.

Although you can't tell in this shot, we left the entire bottom half of the tree without decorations because of Cali - who is still chewing everything she can get her teeth on. Sure enough, she even chewed through one of the lights. I heard a yelp from that room, and when I went in there was a chewed light on the floor. Maybe that will teach her a lesson!!! Or not, LOL. Ken repaired the wire so the rest of the light string was working before we put the tree away for the year.

One Little Word

I have finally settled on my one little word for 2009. I wanted something pro-active rather than passive and something that reflects a positive attitude. I have chosen EMBRACE. This will be a year of change, new beginnings, reflection, and opportunity for me, and I want to embrace them all! I think "embrace" has a positive meaning and hopefully it will help guide me through the journey that is waiting patiently on my horizon.

365 day 3

A little late today, lots of things going on...not really. Just lazy!

Anyway, I'm putting away the Christmas decor, and the saddest thing to part with will be my desk top tree. It is about 18" tall and green metallic with green lights. It's beautiful. Part of me wants to keep it out and decorate it by the season...maybe I will. Anyway, here it is, in all its night-time glory.

This was taken with my Canon Digital Rebel XTi, ISO 100, f-stop at 22, exposure about 30 secs. Love the twinkle effect!

365 Day 2

Every year, Matt gives me a beautiful crystal figurine for Christmas, and this year was no exception. This daffodil stands on a 9" tall silver stem with a single, sweeping leaf and is just stunning!

Don't faint

Yeah, sit down and breathe! I am actually posting on my blog. I am hoping that this will become a regular activity. Since this will be a year of great change for me, I have decided to jump into the 365 Project, starting today. I'm not sure I'll post a photo a day, but maybe a photo collage once a week.

And what better way to begin the year, than with how I begin each day - with the good ole Cuppa Joe! Flavored coffee from Gevalia, with French Vanilla creamer and a packet of Splenda. The best part of waking up is coffee in my cup!